CITY SPENDING

Brad Watson reports

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DALLAS — With the economy getting worse and consumers pulling back, taxpayers might expect city government to be tight on spending, too.

But you don't need to look around Dallas City Hall too far or too long to find some very questionable spending.

A hardworking taxpayer needs to take only a few steps inside Dallas City Hall for an example of what some think is extravagant spending.

In the lobby is a recently installed plasma TV ($49,999) to show messages and video clips to visitors. Council member Ron Natinsky pushed for it.

"I think it's a good investment when you look at it in perspective to what we're trying to do — to build up the image of the city," he said.

But there is no clear reception for such spending with council member Mitchell Rasansky. "I think we have better use of our money than to put $50,000 into that," he said.

WFAA-TV

This ethics briefing cost taxpayers $15,000.

When Mayor Tom Leppert wanted the City Council briefed on ethics, he discussed the idea with City Manager Mary Suhm. After a brief search and the mayor's input, she flew in a consultant from California for nearly $15,000 for a one- to two-hour briefing.

Rasansky didn't care for that expense, either. "As for spending $15,000 for someone to give a one-hour presentation here who did a PowerPoint to me seems very high," he said.

Part of the ethics lesson was about accountability.

WFAA-TV

Council member Ron Natinsky spent $12,000 on souvenirs like this for constituents.

So how does Natinsky account for spending $12,000 on souvenirs (emblazoned with his name) that he gives away to constituents, as discovered by The Dallas Morning News? "I've been doing it for three years and have got good results off of it," Natinsky said. "At least they have something tangible after the town hall meeting to go home with."

The city wants residents to conserve water. But what about saving money in the ad campaign?

Dallas Water Utilities

The city spends $376,000 annually to warn citizens about the dangers of grease.

The city says it spends about $376,000 a year for "prevention advertising," urging people not to pour grease down drains.

Jody Puckett of Dallas Water Utilities says the spending is justified. "Lower water use, as well as lower overflows from sanitary sewer blockages; That saves the public money tenfold, I'll estimate," Puckett said.

Last year there were just 39 backups from grease in sanitation sewer lines; that comes to about $9,600 in advertising per clog.

It costs the city just $2,000 to send out a crew to clear a sewer line.

Then there are the public art projects required for new city buildings.

WFAA-TV

This $180,000 artwork adorns the city's new homeless shelter.

The city spent $180,000 for seven windows in the men's dorm at The Bridge, the new homeless assistance center. On the glass is writing by two homeless men the city claims is "inspiring."

That is, if the homeless read them.

According to Bobby Ward, president of the residents association, "I don't think they read them, no. This is just a sleeping quarters for people that have had hard times."

With the economy weakening, Mayor Leppert says some spending must be checked. "Is that an expenditure that's necessary? Is it an expenditure that can be stopped? And if it is, then go forward and take the appropriate action," he said.

But unlike households and businesses, the slowing economy comes slowly to City Hall.

Rasansky observed, "I've seen a little tightening, but not much."

We tallied up nearly $630,000 in questionable spending.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com